Man played Key Role in Drive-by Shooting of Taxi Firm Boss

Akeel Hussain, aged 23, of Dudley, has been convicted of manslaughter after he played a key role in coordinating the drive-by shooting of a taxi firm boss.

Mohammed Haroon Zeb was shot in the head outside his home in Dudley during the early hours of January 31, 2021.

Known as Haroon, he was the manager of Midland Taxis in Brierley Hill.

The 39-year-old was rushed to hospital but died later the same day.

It is believed that killing was part of an ongoing feud between families.

West Midlands Police examined various pieces of evidence, which included phone records and social media.

Hussain was eventually identified as a person who played a prominent role in organising the drive-by shooting.

He had been injured himself after being hit by a car less than a fortnight earlier.

Two other men who were in the Volkswagen Golf from which the fatal gunshot was fired were convicted of murder earlier in 2023 and jailed for 60 years.

It was concluded that Hassan Tasleem fired the weapon while Gurdeep Sandhu drove the getaway car.

Following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Hussain was found guilty of manslaughter.

Hussain, who is currently in custody after recently being convicted of separate offences of violent disorder and possession with intent to supply, will be sentenced on December 1, 2023.

Mohammed Rafiq, aged 22, of Dudley, was involved in helping to conceal the Golf, which was on false plates.

It was later recovered in Telford.

Rafiq was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Detective Superintendent Jim Munro, who led the investigation, said:

“While Hussain may not have fired the fatal gunshot, he was integral to planning the shooting which tragically led to the death of Mr Zeb.

“We will possibly never know why Mr Zeb was specifically targeted. He was not believed to have been actively involved in the feud but was following what was going on.

“We know nothing can ever replace the loss of a loved one, but we hope the fact Hussain will now spend considerable time behind bars will ease some of the pain felt by Mr Zeb’s family.

“We will always pursue and seek to convict anyone involved in a killing – from committing the act, planning the killing, or trying to protect others from facing justice.”